In Cristiano Ronaldo News, the Portuguese legend shares an emotional message following Portugal’s shock 1-0 defeat to Morocco in the quarter final of the 2022 World Cup
Unfortunately for Ronaldo, it looks like he’s missed that last chance, after Portugal suffered a shock defeat to Morocco. Some have spoken of his ability to keep going into his forties, but it appears as though time is catching up with him.
It would be an astonishing turnaround were he to make the 2026 World Cup as a 42-year-old, and we may well see him announce his retirement from the international game in the coming days.
Like Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag, Portugal manager Fernando Santos decided that his team would be better served with Ronaldo out of the starting XI.
I fought for it . I fought hard for this dream. In the 5 appearances I scored in World Cups over 16 years, always by the side of great players and supported by millions of Portuguese, I gave my all. Leave it all out on the field. I never turned my face to the fight and I never gave up on that dream.
The 37-year-old started each of Portugal’s group-stage games, scoring one goal with the opener from the penalty spot in their first match of the tournament.
However, he was dropped for the first knockout clash, which proved an astute decision as his replacement Goncalo Ramos scored a brilliant hat-trick in a stunning 6-1 victory over Switzerland.
Ramos got the nod ahead of Ronaldo for the quarter-final against Morocco, but Portugal’s all-time top scorer was introduced off the bench in the 52nd minute. Morocco were leading 1-0 at the time and Ronaldo failed to score an equaliser, going on to leave the pitch in tears following the shock loss.
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